The shadow stretches long and unnaturally thin, cast not by the dying sun, but by something far older, far hungrier. It clings to the crumbling corners of Bucharest, a city itself struggling to emerge from a different kind of darkness. This is the world of Bloodstone: Subspecies II, a grimy, atmospheric descent that picks up mere moments after its predecessor left us reeling, plunging us back into a distinctly European nightmare that felt tailor-made for late-night VHS consumption.
### A Stain Spreading
There's no breathing room here. Director Ted Nicolaou (who also gave us the cult oddity TerrorVision) wastes no time thrusting us back into the horror. Michelle Morgan (Denice Duff, taking over the role and making it her own with a compelling vulnerability) is newly turned, grappling with the horrific thirst and the insidious influence of the Bloodstone clutched in her hand. And Radu Vladislas... well, Radu is always there. The pursuit is immediate, relentless, shifting from the ancient castles of the first film to the decaying grandeur and shadowy alleyways of post-Ceausescu Bucharest. The change of scenery adds a layer of gritty realism that somehow makes the vampiric horror feel even more invasive, more inescapable.
### The Unforgettable Hunger of Radu
Let's be honest: the enduring power of the Subspecies series rests squarely on the slumped, desiccated shoulders of Anders Hove as Radu. Forget the suave Counts or the brooding romantics; Radu is primal, pestilential. His elongated fingers, the constant drip of saliva, the eyes burning with ancient malice and a strange, pitiable need – it’s a performance of unsettling physicality. Hove fully commits to this grotesque creation, crafting a vampire that feels genuinely monstrous, ancient, and diseased. It’s said that Hove’s intense dedication sometimes unsettled the crew, a testament to how deeply he inhabited this iconic role. Doesn't that unique portrayal still crawl under your skin, even now? He’s less a predator in the traditional sense, more a force of nature, a plague given form.
### Romanian Decay and Practical Charm
Filmed back-to-back with its sequel, Subspecies III: Bloodlust, on location in Romania, Bloodstone benefits immensely from its setting. Ted Nicolaou and producer Charles Band (the mastermind behind Full Moon Features) wisely leveraged the authentic, often dilapidated, beauty of Bucharest. The crumbling architecture, the stark cemeteries, the dimly lit streets – they aren't just backdrops; they're extensions of the film's pervasive sense of decay. This wasn't CGI; this was shooting in a country finding its feet after decades of hardship, lending an air of authenticity you couldn't fake on a Hollywood backlot. Reportedly, navigating the logistics of filming there in the early 90s presented unique challenges, forcing creative solutions that ultimately enhanced the film's gritty texture.
And then there are the other creatures. Radu’s diminutive demonic minions, the "subspecies," brought to life through stop-motion animation. Yes, by today's standards, the effect is dated. But back in the aisles of the video store, seeing those little terrors scuttling across the screen possessed a jerky, unnatural menace that felt genuinely wrong. Full Moon often worked magic with limited resources, and these practical effects, along with Radu's convincingly gruesome makeup, are a huge part of the film's specific, tactile charm. Remember the visceral reaction to those little monsters manifesting from Radu’s own blood? It was pure low-budget nightmare fuel.
### Direct-to-Video Royalty
Bloodstone: Subspecies II is undeniably a product of its time and its studio. Full Moon Features carved a niche in the direct-to-video market, delivering genre fare quickly and efficiently. Sometimes the seams show – the budget constraints are occasionally apparent, and the plot is a fairly straightforward chase narrative. Yet, within those limitations, Nicolaou crafts something with surprising atmosphere and a genuinely memorable villain. Kevin Spirtas returns as Mel, the US embassy worker trying to help Michelle, and Denice Duff steps admirably into the lead, navigating Michelle's terrifying transformation with believable fear and burgeoning darkness. The film knew its audience: horror fans hungry for something a little different, something darker and more European than much of the mainstream American horror of the time. It delivered on that promise, becoming a staple on rental shelves.
### The Verdict
Bloodstone: Subspecies II might not be high art, but it's potent, atmospheric vampire horror done with grit and a memorably repulsive antagonist. It leans into its gothic European setting, utilizes practical effects with creepy effectiveness, and offers a continuation that feels necessary rather than tacked-on. The limitations of its direct-to-video origins are present but often overshadowed by the sheer force of Anders Hove's performance and the palpable sense of dread conjured by the Romanian locations. It perfectly captures that feeling of discovering a dark gem in the horror section, something genuinely unsettling that lingers long after the tape rewound.
Rating: 7/10
Final Thought: More than just a sequel, Bloodstone cemented Radu Vladislas as one of the most distinctive and genuinely unnerving vampires of the VHS era, proving that sometimes, the most horrifying monsters are the ones dripping with pathetic menace. It remains a must-watch for fans of 90s DTV horror and anyone who appreciates a vampire tale served cold, bleak, and bloody.